'Legally Blonde' musical promises to be Midtown Arts Center's feel-good show this season

They're all on hand: the boring Warner, the conniving Vivienne, the ever-sweet Paulette and the hunky UPS guy, orbiting like so many mini planets around their own bright star -- Elle Woods, the perky, effervescent sorority girl headed for Harvard.

Midtown Arts Center brings the musical "Legally Blonde" to the stage with all the frivolity and charm of the popular movie. The story of Elle, dumped by her snooty boyfriend, Warner, was written for the stage version by Heather Hach, who grew up in Loveland. Chock full of song and dance numbers, the musical serves up a feel-good story about believing in who you are, even when the rest of the world underestimates you.

GO & DO

"Legally Blonde"

When: 6 p.m. Thursday, March 7 and 28, April 25 and May 9; 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday and noon Sunday through May 19.

Recently, Kara Dombroski, 24, spoke of her love for Elle. Based in New York, Dombroski was chosen for the lead role by Midtown owner Kurt Terrio during nationwide open auditions. She's playing the sorority sister-turned-Harvard-law-school-student, in a straightforward manner.

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"It's a challenge to make such an iconic part your own, while staying true to who she is," says Dombroski. "What makes Elle so funny and charming is her real honesty. "

The setting comes naturally to Dombroski. "I was in a sorority in college, so to play out that life onstage is really fun."

Audiences will recognize many scenes from the movie. "There's a lot of integrating those memorable scenes into the musical version, but with some differences to accommodate the music and staging," she says.

And there are the canines, of course -- Elle's Chihuahua, Bruiser, and Paulette's mutt, Rufus. "They're the sweetest animals ever," Dombroski says. "They're not stage trained at all, but they're really doing great -- they're going to steal the show."

Dozens of memorable costumes from the movie have been replicated, Dombroski says. "It's our shout-out to the film. There are lots of them -- fabulous, super-cute and pink, lots of pink. It's 'Legally Blonde,' after all."

In its northern Colorado debut, the musical is drawing a diverse audience. "We're hearing that a lot of women are making it a ladies night out event," says Terrio. "It's the type of show that's perfect for that kind of get-together, but there's also the comedy to draw in the men."

The cast features other newcomers, as well as many Midtown favorites. "Ryane (Nicole Studivant), for instance, will be seen in a very different role that will surprise the audience," Terrio says. "Also, Michael Lasris, Ryan Hazelbaker and Kyle Blair -- all audience favorites -- will have parts that are fun to watch."

The cast of 18 is perfecting the detailed coordination required for the big show numbers.

"It's mind-numbing to see the number of scenes we have, but the ensemble is working really hard to bring it all together," says Dombrowski.

The actress says she admires Elle's many diverse qualities. "She's generally a good-hearted person and that's what makes the show. She's driven and ambitious and gets whatever she puts her mind to, but in a respectful way.

"Throughout the show, people change Elle, but she also transforms a lot of them -- Paulette and Viviane, for instance. We can learn a lot from her confidence."

Terrio says "Legally Blonde" is the feel-good show of the Midtown season. "It's just a blast and very empowering. It's definitely going to be spectacular."